Models of Psychopathology Flashcards
Explain the biological model of psychopathology.
assumes abnormal behaviour = result of biological dysfunctions (particularly in the brain).
treatments: biological, e.g., drugs, neurosurgery.
Genetics:
Concordance studies: examines the probability that relatives will develop psychopathology based on shared genetic material.
Twin Studies: compares the probability with which MZ twins compared to DZ twins will develop symptoms of psychopathology.
Heritability: the extent to which symptoms can be due to genetic factors (ranges from 0-1)
Diathesis-stress model: psychopathology develops due to an interaction between a genetic predisposition and environmental factors, e.g., stress.
Epigenetics: influence of changes in gene expression.
Neuroscience:
Brain structure: examines the influences of changes in brain structure on psychopathology (e.g., MRI, CAT, post-mortem).
Brain function: examines the influence of changes in brain activity and psychopathology (EEG, fMRI, MEG).
Neurotransmitters: chemicals involved in communication between neurons.
increases and decreases in some of these have been to psychopathology (e.g., low serotonin and depression).
Explain the psychodynamic model of psychopathology.
Based on the work of Freud
Assumes that abnormal behaviour = consequence of unconscious conflicts (between ID, EGO and SUPEREGO)
Treatments: Psychoanalysis- helping person to gain insight into these conflicts to resolve them.
Defence Mechanisms: Freud suggested that individuals develop defence mechanisms to control the conflicts between the Id, ego and superego.
e.g., regression, repression, displacement, denial
Stages of Development: Freud suggested the importance of how children negotiated the stages of development.
Fixation: if children are unsuccessful in progressing onto next stage of development, they are fixated and can result in psychopathology.
(e.g., oral fixation participants will be obsessed with putting things in their mouths).
Explain the learning (behaviourist) model of psychopathology.
Based on the work of behaviourists e.g., Watson, Skinner.
Assumes abnormal is a consequence of maladaptive learning.
Treatments: Behavioural Therapy
using remedial learning to modify learning behaviour.
Classical Conditioning: learning an association where the CS predicts the second (UCS)- based on Pavlov’s work with dogs.
Used to explain phobias and drug use.
Operant Conditioning: modification of behaviour based on its consequences.
Positive Reinforcement: increased behavioural tendency due to a positive outcome (reward).
Negative Reinforcement: increased behavioural tendency due to the removal of a negative/aversive stimulus.
OC linked to the maintenance and onset of psychopathology.
Explain the cognitive model of psychopathology.
Based on the work of cognitive theorists e.g., Beck and Ellis
Assumes that abnormal behaviour is a consequence of dysfunctional beliefs and biased information processing e.g., hyper vigilance in anxiety.
Treatments: psychological therapies that aim to uncover and challenge these dysfunctional beliefs.
dysfunctional thoughts = core symptoms of many psychopathological conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety).
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy- therapeutic approach that aims to change dysfunctional thoughts and the behavioural thoughts and behavioural response to these cognitions.
Explain the humanist-existential approach of explaining psychopathology.
Assumes that if self-awareness and a sense of meaning of life can be developed then emotional distress and psychopathology can be resolved.
Reducing fears and conflicts in clients will result in well-adjusted and happy people.
Focuses on insight and personal development (Rogers, 1987)
Focuses on helping individuals cope with symptoms.
